Abstract: An actuator having a housing that defines an interior volume and a primary driver that includes either a piezoelectric element or a magnetorestrictive element. The primary driver has first and second opposing ends and defines a longitudinal length therebetween. The first end of the primary driver is bearingly engaged with a reaction surface that is fixed relative to the housing. The second end of the primary driver longitudinally moves a bearing surface that partially defines a closed working chamber having a fixed quantity of an incompressible medium. An actuating rod extends through an orifice in the housing and has a first end projecting outwardly and a second end disposed within the working chamber. The cross sectional area of the orifice is less than the effective area of the bearing surface whereby the travel distance of the rod is amplified relative to the change in length of the primary driver.

Abstract: A controlled damper assembly includes a controlled-damper-assembly piston, a controlled-damper-assembly piston rod attached to the piston, an insulated wire, and an electrical connector. The insulated wire is positioned in the piston rod, has a first end operatively connected to the piston, and has a second end. The electrical connector has a first connection terminal electrically connected to the second end of the insulated wire and has a second connection terminal electrically connected to the piston rod. An example, without limitation, of a controlled damper assembly is a magnetorheological damper assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle roll control system for a vehicle has a hydraulic actuator attached to a torsion bar. The system includes first and second pressure control valves fluidly connected in series between a pressure source and a reservoir, and a directional valve fluidly connected between the pressure control valves and the hydraulic actuator. The control valves are actuated to control the fluid pressure within the hydraulic actuator to either extend or compress the hydraulic actuator based on the detection of a predetermined vehicle condition for controlling vehicle roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively tuning a vehicle suspension, operatively connect a wheel of the vehicle to a chassis of the vehicle with a suspension apparatus including a control arm of fixed length, having an inboard end thereof adapted for articulating attachment to the chassis, an outboard end thereof adapted for articulating attachment to the wheel, and a selectively movable intermediate attachment point thereof disposed between the inboard and outboard ends of the control arm and adapted for attachment of a compressible suspension element. The intermediate attachment point is selectively movable, with respect to the inboard and outboard ends of the control arm, to vary a suspension linkage ratio for changing the stiffness and/or height of the suspension apparatus at one or more corners of the vehicle, to thereby allow active tuning of the suspension during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for invasively measuring fluid pressure is disclosed. The device includes a disposable housing having a fluid contacting area and a non-fluid contacting area. A disposable diaphragm in a substantially non-elastic state is disposed within the housing and separates the fluid contacting area from the non-fluid contacting area. A side of the diaphragm is adapted to contact the fluid, and the diaphragm has sufficient flexibility to move a distance axially within the non-fluid contacting area in response to fluid contact. The distance is substantially proportional to the fluid pressure. An electronic sensing device is removably attached adjacent the non-fluid contacting area of the housing, and is spaced from the diaphragm. The electronic sensing device is capable of determining the fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method for making a ball-nut includes cutting a 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the inner-circumferential wall portion of a ball-nut body using a whirling-type internal-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a crossover-grooved portion. A method for making a ball-screw includes cutting at least one 360-degree closed-loop surface groove in the outer-circumferential wall portion of a ball-screw body using a whirling-type external-diameter cutting machine. The closed-loop surface groove surrounds the longitudinal axis of the wall portion, is adapted for receiving a plurality of ball bearings, includes a helical-grooved portion substantially coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and includes a cross-under-grooved portion.

Abstract: An electrical system comprised of at least two control modules as well as at least one power supply module. The present invention improves functional reliability of electrical systems by configuring a power supply module as a smart device and connecting it to at least one of the control modules for the purpose of data exchange and, in case of a malfunction, transforming the control module(s) to one of a stand-alone operating mode and a cut-off state.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for use in kinetic spray systems is disclosed. The nozzle includes a supersonic portion comprising a tubular section and a flow regulator. A portion of the flow regulator is received in the tubular portion. The flow regulator includes a biconical flow concentrator that allows one to create very small dimension coatings on substrates. Using the present nozzle enables one to create spot coatings and very narrow width line coatings that find use in electrical components.

Abstract: A suspension system having a frame, a cab having a front portion pivotally mounted to the frame and at least one actuator mounted between a rear portion of the cab and the frame. A position sensor is mounted adjacent the rear portion of the cab for generating a first signal indicating a position of the cab relative to the frame, an accelerometer is mounted to the frame for generating a second signal indicating an acceleration of the frame relative to gravity and an electronic control receives the first and second signals from the position sensor and the accelerometer and generates a control signal for controlling the actuator in response to the first and second signals.

Abstract: (57) A roll control system (20) for installation between axially aligned wheels of a motor vehicle, the roll control system comprising a torsion bar (22); a damper (24) attached to one end (28) of the torsion bar and attachable to one of the wheels; and attachment means (25) attached to the other end (29) of the torsion bar and attachable to the other wheel; wherein the damper comprises an axially extending cylindrical housing (52); a piston (34) slidably mounted inside the housing; a piston rod (58) connected to the piston, extending out of one end (55) of the housing, and movable in an axial direction relative to the housing; a floating piston (35) slidably mounted in the housing between the piston and the other end of the housing; a compensation chamber (37) between the floating piston and the other end (54) of the housing containing a first pressurised fluid; a compression chamber (30) between the floating piston and the piston containing a second pressurised fluid; a rebound chamber (32) between the pist

Abstract: A brake system including a brake pad shaped and located to apply pressure to a brake rotor and an actuator shaped and located to apply pressure to the brake pad to cause the brake pad to apply pressure to the rotor. The system further includes a sensor material which varies in resistance when the actuator applies pressure to the brake pad, wherein the sensor material include an electrically insulating material with electrically conductive particles distributed therein. The system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the sensor material to detect a change in resistance of the sensor material.

Abstract: A connector assembly (10) is provided including a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) configured to mateably engage the first connector (12). The first connector (12) includes a housing (16), a conductor assembly (18) positioned within the housing and projecting from housing, and a resilient seal member (30) enclosing an interface between the housing (16) and the portion of the conductor assembly projecting from the housing. The second connector (14) includes an outer contact (60), an inner contact (62) nested within a portion of the outer contact (60), and a housing (64) containing the inner and outer contacts. Conductors of the conductor assembly (18) of the first connector (12) engage the outer (60) and inner (62) contacts of the second connector (14). Another resilient seal member (45) includes a flexible skirt (50) formed at an end portion thereof.

Abstract: A hydraulic damper including a tube filled with working liquid which contains a slidable piston assembly attached to a piston rod. The piston assembly includes a piston having a compression valve arrangement to control the flow of working liquid passing through the piston during the compression stroke of the damper. The compression valve arrangement includes a stack of resilient deflectable disks placed on one axial side of the piston and covering compression flow passages in the piston, a spring, spring seat guide and a spring retainer, the spring mounted between the spring seat and the spring retainer. The spring biases the axially slidable spring seat against the stack of disks to normally close the compression flow passages, and the stack of disks is held by the spring seat. The spring seat guide may also be provided with rebound flow passages linked with flow passages in the piston.

Abstract: A vacuum booster includes a housing defining a control volume in which a movable diaphragm separates the control volume into an apply chamber and a vacuum chamber. A power piston extends through and engages the diaphragm and has an axial bore containing a valve assembly that controls a diaphragm pressure differential across the diaphragm. The power piston drives an output rod in the forward direction. The output rod has a rearward portion exposed to pressure within the vacuum chamber and a forward face exposed to atmospheric pressure. When the pressure within vacuum chamber is less than atmospheric, a piston pressure differential across the power piston provides a return force in the rearward direction to the power piston.

Abstract: Disk brake friction element mounting system provides spaced mounting elements or guides for the friction elements, the spacing of the mounting elements permitting at least one friction element to be located in its working position by insertion edgewise through the space between the mounting elements without removing the brake discs or disc. The friction element is supported and guided by laterally extending shoulder having downwardly facing receptors for the mounting elements. In this way friction element insertion and removal for servicing purposes is greatly simplified.

Abstract: A controller area network employs a CAN bus for facilitating CAN communications among a plurality of communication controllers switched to an active state. The controller area network further employs a CAN wake-up controller for switching one or more communication controllers to the active state in response to an application of a non-interfering communication biasing signal to said CAN bus. Upon a termination of the application of a non-interfering communication biasing signal to said CAN bus, the CAN wake-up controller switches the communication controller(s) to an inactive state for impeding CAN communications by communication controller(s) via the CAN bus.

Abstract: A removable sensor assembly for non-intrusively sensing instantaneous speed of an engine comprising a crankshaft having a respective end equipped with an externally accessible bolt, the removable sensor assembly comprising: a housing comprising a recess configured to removably receive and engage a portion of the externally accessible bolt; and a force sensing device received in the housing, the force sensing device being configured to wirelessly provide information indicative of angular motion of the crankshaft, the force sensing device comprising: at least one coil; a power supply for providing an excitation to the coil, wherein the coil provides a first signal and a second signal each corresponding to the movement of the housing, the first signal corresponding to the resistance of the coil and the second signal corresponding to the inductance of the coil; and a signal transmitter coupled to the coil to receive and transmit the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: In an automotive vehicle braking system, a hydraulic brake actuator includes a wedge for locking a hydraulic piston in a brake position for purposes of applying a park brake. To apply the park brake, hydraulic pressure is increased to advance the piston to urge the brake pads against the rotor. With the piston in the brake position, an electrical solenoid is energized to advance the wedge to engage the piston. The wedge includes an inclined surface that contacts an inclined surface connected to the piston or the housing, with sufficient frictional force to maintain the wedge in the advanced position without requiring hydraulic pressure or electrical power. Thus, the park brake remains applied even when the vehicle is turned off.

Abstract: A control system manages yaw-plane motion, while simultaneously comprehending and managing roll motion. The system reduces excessive maneuver-induced roll motion by properly shaping yaw-plane motion, which may include increasing yaw damping and/or decreasing a yaw gain, under various conditions, to avoid excessive excitation of roll dynamics.

Abstract: A braking system including a pre-charge with a plurality of pumps disposed in parallel with respect to one another. The pumps can direct pressurized brake fluid to the brakes during a controlled braking maneuver. The pumps operate with offset operating cycles such that a first pump is drawing fluid while a second pump is pushing fluid to the brakes. The invention provides an embodiment having three pumps operated in parallel, wherein the pumps define operating cycles offset 120 degrees from one another. The invention also provides a separate master cylinder reservoir feed circuit to improve response of the system, especially cold weather response.